Thoughts during a shoveling break, to make sure I am rested enough to comply with the ordinance:
Have you noticed that MA public officials always solemnly advise:
During periods of heavy snowfall, people should avoid driving if they can. For those commuting in eastern MA tomorrow, build in extra time + consider public transportation.
Crews from @MassDOT and the @MBTA will be out throughout the night to clear roads, sidewalks + platforms.
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 2, 2019
“During periods of heavy snowfall, people should avoid driving if they can; build in extra time; consider public transportation*.” Do we really need them to tell us this? Are New Englanders that oblivious? I’d get it if we were in DC!
*As if it worked well enough to count on.
There are a lot of transplants in the area. I remember when I met my LA native husband he would drive foolishly in the snow.
The Baker administration’s extreme-weather PR events are an integral part of Karyn Polito’s image rehabilitation program and mustn’t be criticized.
It’s such a joy to watch the mean lady from Lake Quinsigamond stand behind our Pillsbury Doughboy governor, occasionally stepping up to the mike and saying something trite in an effort to make us believe that she’s not really a crackpot bigot.
It’s not a surprise, really, that Charlie Baker offers the same pithy advice after every snowstorm that doesn’t comport with the realities of getting around in normal weather, let alone winter weather. After all, he (and other electeds) has taxpayer-funded door-to-door transportation, shorn of the need of having to worry about congestion, parking, or public transit.
More pertinent to the City of Newton, especially the elderly and disabled, are the disingenuous Mayor’s Updates (e.g. December 2, 2019) that cite only fines for non-removal of snow from property sidewalks without specifying that the ordinance (No. B-38, 9/3/19) refers to only paved sidewalks (asphalt and concrete) and that there are exceptions for disabilities.
Being known for having spent years in community service at the state house, I still get phone calls from neighbors panicking that they will be fined. The Mayor should specify more clearly the true extent and intent of the snow removal ordinance.
Has any Newton resident EVER actually been fined under City Ordinance, Sec. 26-8D, Removal of snow and ice from sidewalks?
I still shovel my own walkway and sidewalk, but most people passing by on foot still opt to walk on our street even when all of my neighbors also clear their sidewalks. I do the same simply because some of my neighbors treat their sidewalks and others do not. Pure and simple, it’s a crap shoot whether or not you are in for a bad tumble when you don’t know where the hidden ice will be. Also, there are at least two or three times during the winter when you have snow that turns to rain followed by a quick deep freeze. That’s when the only real options are to stay inside or walk on a street that has been treated with some consistency.
I have noticed during past years that the City fails to clear their own sidewalks at the Cypress St. Municipal lot. and other walks running along Union St. Will the City be issuing themselves fines for sidewalks they fail to clear? I have called them in numerous times well after 48 hours of a storm.
I wish RA would remind residents to be thoughtful. As soon as the ban is lifted (or sometimes before that), our dead end street gets cars parked at the end. Result: snowplows and salt/sand trucks cannot turn around; when the plow drivers see that, they give up and turn around in someone’s driveway; if the truck is too big (or the driveway too small), the truck has to back up until the next intersection.
If only drivers would park along a sidewalk and make sure to leave the dead end free!!!!
Without walking in the street, frequently unshoveled walks (remaining/becoming icy) are MORE hazardous than walking on snow covered walks (at least below a certain depth).
No one has gotten a fine for not clearing a sidewalk YET (unless it was under the 1990s ordinance), because the fine was just implemented this year. And the first offense nets a warning letter, not a fine.
I have lived on California Street for 4 decades, and over that time my neighbors with children and dogs have been diligent in shoveling their walks, and we take care of the neighbors who may be away, or elderly. And during that time, the city plows, or their vendors have been just as diligent in plowing in the handicap ramps on the corner. Every single storm they plow in the corners. And we struggle to create pathways . So, to the handicapped people who were walking in the street this morning to catch the bus to work, we try. We do try.
Our Governor is exactly why we’re stuck in this housing crisis, why public transit isn’t getting the resources it needs, and why Newton has to work overtime to deal with issues he won’t a thing on.
@Terry…seriously? The state legislature in Massachusetts is almost exclusively Democrats, and you lay the blame on the governor for not providing resources? It’s been a while since I took a civics class but doesn’t the legislature appropriate fund? I think there is enough blame to go around on pubic transit. I took the commuter rail to work during the Patrick administration, and I can tell you it was no better then than it is today.
Can i make a suggestion? I am sure there are many city councilors who read this.
Why are the sidewalk plows out during the storm? They should be out AFTER the storm so that intersections (ramps) can be opened up after the city street plows block them in to widen the streets. Secondly, if you go to either DPW yard now at Crafts street or Elliott you will see the city sidewalk plows parked, not working at all, waiting for the next storm. You will also see many city DPW workers just “keeping busy” since there isn’t much to do. In fact, someone i know who works for the city tells me that they just idle all day in a truck. So, if we have the equipment, have the employees and have the time. Why aren’t they being used? Between Contractors and city owned equipment the entire city can have the sidewalks done within a day or 2. If anyone shoveled their sidewalks during the first storm you know how heavy and thick that pile of “slush” was from the city plows pushing it over onto the sidewalks.
Can any councilors tell me what it would cost if the entire city was subbed out to do sidewalks or a good portion? i bet it wouldn’t be more than $10/house/winter. If that was the case, i am sure everyone in this city would pay the extra taxes!
Meanwhile, today 12/5 @ 8:50am there are many areas that the city has missed plowing sidewalks near my house. some are city owned buildings and some near schools. Let me guess, they dont get in trouble—haha